The slave winced slightly as the bandages were removed - and seemed confused as the woman placed the hand gently between two of her own. Instinctively the girl tried to withdraw her hand as it stinged, but eventually she managed to make it stand still as she observed what had happened, obviously confused.

And a little terrified. She started breathing heavier as she watched her blood stitch herself back together, utterly bewildered. When her second hand was grabbed, the girl didn't even react as she was still staring at the handiwork on the first hand with wide eyes.

Though as her neck was grabbed, she seemed to come back to herself. The slave had figured out what was going on, and was curious, thankful, and utterly terrified as she saw something that could easily be considered sacrilege. "W-what are y-you doing?" The slave was a little concerned she'd be hit for asking a question, but it was clear she was trying not to resist as her arms remained tight at her side.

---

Isabella continued to heal the girl as best she could silently, delicate hand running over the wounds on her neck and repeating the process once more. What was she doing? Healing her, obviously. Sort of. At least speeding up the process. She wasn't thinking about how this could look for the slave or for herself. She just wanted to help regardless of the consequences for doing so. Surely in a place such as this, something like magic wouldn't be outlawed? Or frowned upon?

Well, it didn't matter.

"...Healing..." Isabella replied quietly as the wound on the girls neck knit itself shut. "Sorry...this is...best I can do." Once she was done, Isabella pulled back quietly, observing her handiwork. It was odd, at the least. And exhausting since she hadn't had a chance to truly practice. Oh right, she should probably rebandage the wounds and find something to wipe her own hands clean of blood.

"How do you feel?" She asked as she fumbled with the bandages for a moment, having never bandaged a wound in her life.

"... B-Better miss ..." The slave still seemed apprehensive, but didn't resist the entire time as the bandages were laid back across her various wounds - probably to hide them more than help them really heal. Perhaps someone normally here would say 'thank you', but for some reason the slave girl didn't. Whether it was because such an unusual sight terrified her despite its clear benefit to her, she was afraid of being punished for some reason, or she'd simply never learned how to thank someone because kindness was a rare commodity, the girl remained silent and sitting on the ground, eyes downcast submissively.

If Isabella wouldn't say anything for a while, the girl would eventually turn her head upwards, quietly observing the woman in front of her and waiting to be told what to do next. She had been sent here to check up on the noble (and probably get yelled at by her) but this was ... not what she had been expecting.

Periodically her eyes drifted over to the plate of fruit - mostly still uneaten - and for a short time her tired eyes remained on the bed - but the girl tamed herself and looked downwards again. "... A-anything y-you need miss ...?"

---

Isabella stood, trying not to pay much mind to the young girls apprehensiveness. She wasn't sure what else to do here. She didn't exactly plan that far ahead. She just couldn't stand to see such a young girl hurt so without reason for it. It was senseless to do that sort of thing to anyone, really. Poor thing looked like she hadn't had a good meal in awhile, either. She glanced over to the fruit, following the girls eyes.

Well...why not.

Isabella walked over to the plate of fruit, intending on grabbing an, ahem, apple, and bringing it over when she caught sight of her bloody hands. Oof, Gracie would make her butt sorer than it was last night for doing that. She breathed in, gathering the blood in a small sphere above her hands before dropping it onto a cloth near the bed, completely washing her hands clean of the girls blood. With that done, she grabbed an Apple and moved back over to the girl.

"...here." She offered it to her, shaking her head in reply to the girls question. "Isabella." She introduced herself quietly, hoping the girl would at least eat something.

The slave looked upwards at the apple hungrily - she hesitated for several seconds. She wasn't supposed to eat food - but then again, it was an order so that made it okay, right? It didn't take long for the justification to result in her greedily biting into it as if she was starving. The thing hardly survived for half a minute, the girl even eating the core and part of the stem.

For a minute she sat there, savoring the flavor before speaking once again nervously.

"T-thank you m-miss Isa-Isabella." For the first time the girl seemed to have a small smile across her face - from staying in the small sanctuary that existed in her life of living hell. She closed her eyes for a moment before shaking her head.

"Un-Unless you need me I should g-go back." The girl seemed nervous and saddened at the prospect, but she couldn't think of an excuse to stay here herself and she didn't want to bother the noble who had been so nice to her.

---

Isabella waited patiently for the girl to finish, eyes widening as she ate almost the whole thing. Core and part of the stem even. Disgusting. Lord Hasingwrath and Zavra both would have been received some form of punishment for all of this, surely. If her brothers were here they wouldn't have stood for it. They were much braver then she was...and this was the least she could do right now for her. She'd take small comfort in helping the girl in the small way that she could for now.

"Mhm..." Isabella attempted to make another smile, but only ended up trying to hard and making another odd looking grimace. Isabella stood, and would help the girl to her feet as well should she need it, but for the most part would say nothing more unless addressed.

The slave girl steeled herself for a moment as she got on her face, sighed, and then left the room to return to her depressing fate. A couple of minutes later there was a knock on the door - Gracie slid herself inside the room after giving the princess a few moments of privacy to prepare herself. The maid closed the door behind her, looking back towards the princess.

She noticed an apple was missing from the plate, but didn't comment on it. "Hey, Izzy, you alright?" She wondered what had happened in here, but she could see the exhaustion on her charge's eyes. "Why don't you lay down?"

It was rather apparent the woman was more concerned than curious.

---

"I'm fine." Isabella replied simply to Gracie, after watching the servant leave with a mild bit of apprehension. She didn't feel very much like laying down, though. She spent almost all morning in the bed. She wanted to at least check on the others and make sure they were fine. As well, maybe walk around the castle a bit. See if there was anything else going on and how the storm was. Yes, she was a little physically tired from over exertion, but that didn't matter too much at the moment.

"Clean dress?" Isabella questioned Gracie. She didn't want to wear that armor at the moment. Heavy.

The maid blinked twice, a little concerned. Truthfully, her highness looked physically exhausted, as if she'd just finished running a couple miles. But Gracie knew she was ultimately a maid, and they weren't acting all lovey-dovey right now. "Of course, Ma'am." The maid headed over to find a newer dress and soon enough the white cloth was placed on her mistress. "There you go. Want me to come with you?"

---

"Mhm, if you want." Now dressed in a respectable manner, Isabella felt a bit more comfortable. It wasn't the high quality fabric she was used too - the fine silks and such, but it was comfortable enough. She'd feel more comfortable with Gracie there, certainly, but she was far from being a child. She could handle herself...probably. As long as she didn't stray too far from her room. What to do, though? Visiting her guards and making sure they were well was fine, but then what? She was hesitant to visit Zavra or Lord Hasingwrath, but she wasn't sure what else to really do. Ah, wait! Turnip. How was he doing? He was a warhorse so she was certain he was fine, but he was always so skittish around new people and places.

First though, were her guards.

They seemed to be doing well. Kinsey and Edith were bouncing around the castle and getting up to no good in their usual fashion, though nothing serious. Edith was usually pestering the guards with questions and other people about the geography and layout of the land. Kinsey made sure she wasn't getting into too much trouble. Prescott and Tripp seemed to be spending most of their time cooped up gambling, using dice or cards. She curiously watched them play for a bit, and Prescott made the offer to let her play as well. They let her win, of course. Mervyn was busy making sure their equipment was taken care of and in repair after yesterday. Lana was nowhere to be seen, though.

"Ma'am." And of course, Valora. "Afternoon, Gracie." Valora greeted them not far down the hallway. "Slept well, I hope."

"Mhm." Isabella's face reddened slightly but if Valora noticed she didn't comment.

"Good. At least they have some proper decency then." She glanced over at Prescott and Tripp. "Oi! I thought I told you two to quit your gambling and stand watch!" Almost immediately the two scrambled from the barrel they were using as a tabletop and bolted for the other end of the hallway where Isabella's room was. "Ugh, Give them one moment to relax and suddenly they forget their jobs." She turned back to Isabella. "Anyways, My Lady, I feel as though I should inform you if you see miss Ayriss, tell her to get her ass back here immediately. I do not want to catch her snooping around after hours again."

Isabella simply nodded. Lana had been snooping around at night? Isabella could only guess as to why she would. She was aware of the girls background and was quite aware that she only came with them to escape being put into the army.

"Heading off somewhere, ma'am?" She asked.

"The stables." She commented quietly.

"Well if you don't object, I'll come with you." Valora replied, lowering her voice. Isabella said nothing in silent acceptance, letting the older guardswoman follow her if she wanted too. Couldn't hurt at least, and it was her job.

Soon enough, the trio made their way back to the stables so the Princess could visit Turnip.

---

Lana walked quietly and casually through the hallways of the castle. At the moment, she wasn't up to doing much, just scoping the place out. Big places like this always had a shiny thing or two to pilfer. Of course, she couldn't get into too much trouble. If she did, well, objectively she'd be dead. She doubted the princess would actually care about her, a street rat of all people. She'd be surprised if she even remembered her name, heh. Oh well, that was her life now though. She supposed she could always run off at her earliest convenience, but they hadn't been in a large city that she could call her home yet.

Eventually her walking would carry her towards the dining hall the Princess met with Lord Hasingwrath last night. There had to be something good somewhere in this castle she could find to ah, relieve them from the burden of having something so non-practical.

Turnip would be found among the other horses in the stable - given that there was only 1 large door between them and the howling wind outside, the noise was loud and audible - thought the steeds did not seem to care as they wore small, protective earmuffs. Ensuring the horses were well taken care of, a stable boy was currently brushing off a warhorse - likely belonging to the lord or part of his retinue.

An apple core lay in front of Turnip - a clear sign that he had been given a treat at some point for being a good horsey. Gracie smiled as Isabella - she was happy the woman would probably enjoy seeing such a happy horse.

---

The dining hall was relatively plain compared to what Lana was probably hoping for - the hallways were also barren, with no excellence compared to the houses of the nobility back home. The torch sconces on the wall were made of some sort of bronze, but that was it. Leaving the room were three exits - the one she had come from, one that smelled slightly of food, and one that had two large double doors leading to it - possibly a fancier part of the castle?

---

Isabella walked over to the horse, obviously happy to see the animal. Upon seeing Isabella, Turnip whinnied excitedly, stomping his hooves from where he was sitting inside the stables. The princess walked over as Turnip put his head over the door to his stable, greeting Isabella brightly and bumping her face with his nose. Isabella reached out, placing a hand on top of his muzzle and holding his head with her other. For the most part, the horse seemed fine, oblivious to the low rumble of the storm outside thanks to his earmuffs and well, his training as a warhorse. The two seemed happy to see each other at least.

Valora kept silent for the most part, leaning against one of the stable posts and observing quietly. This place still made her feel uneasy. A storm like that only happened if one was godless, or angered said gods. She'd feel better to be out of this land already. Though, she supposed that as far away from the Monarchy as they were the Divine Spirits wouldn't hear them even if they screamed for help.

"...Hm, Gracie, can I talk to you for a second?" Valora asked the maid quietly.

---

Absolutely nothing. What was this, a castle for rock people or something? There was nothing of value here at all! Dining halls should be decked out in all kinds of swanky decorations, right? Stuff that ahem, might fetch a pretty amount of coin should some noble misplace it. Lana frowned, the smell of food finding its way to her nose. She wasn't hungry - when you lived on the streets one made do with as little amount of food one could deal with. Sometimes it was one meal every two or three days.

The only thing that seemed of interest...was the large double doors. That seemed like a safe bet wheres something valuable might be. She'd just need to find it. Quietly and nonchalantly, she looked to see if anyone was around as she casually approached the door, standing near it. If there was, she'd wait until they had their backs turned or were gone before pressing her ear against the crack where the doors met to see if she could hear anything on the other side.

If she heard nothing, she'd try to open the door slowly and take a peek inside.

Gracie smiled more than a little as she observed her little apple ... well, being adorable with her horse. She tried not to make it to obvious ...

"Oh!" The maid honestly seemed a little surprised as she noticed Valora speaking to her. Ah yes, the formal tough girl. A quick glance over to the princess revealed she was too focused on her steed to care much about that exclamation though. Looking to the side as if they were having a casual conversation, she wondered what Valora was about to ask. Probably something she just didn't want to bother the princess about.

Well, she was about to find out, but still. "Of course, Valora. What is it?"

---

As she twisted the doorknob, she'd realize it was locked. Additionally, through the other door she would hear footsteps some distance away - would she fall back or try and force her way through the large doors?

---

Isabella opened the door to the stables, walking calmly inside where Turnip was being kept, careful not to get her dress overly dirty on anything. Ah...where was a brush or something she could clean him with? He looked like he was being taken well care of here, but he always liked it when she did it.

"Nothing important," Valora glanced over to the princess before turning her attention back to Gracie. "Just want your opinion on this place. I'm not some religious or spiritual whacko - I've survived as long as I have in the army by relying on my senses and my intuition. That comes with something that people would call being paranoid." She took a quick look around the stables. "I had Lana eavesdrop on the dinner last night in case something happened." That should be enough information to get Gracie to possibly stay interested. Lana had described it to her in the best way she could. "Lady Calder likely doesn't think much of it...but I know when somethings off. What that girl, Zavra did, was more than a little worrisome."

---

Tsk, doors were locked.

Lana stepped back, rubbing her head in thought. She could hear footsteps from the other side, so there was definitely someone in there. She just had to figure out how to get in. If it was locked, she could possibly pick it, but she didn't have any of her usual tools with her. The only other solution then would be to wait for someone to come through and then slip in after them. She was reasonably sure of her sneaking skills in that area. Maybe find out who had the key then pick-pocket them.

That said, waiting here with nothing to do would be a little on the suspicious side.

Lana shrugged, rubbing the back of her neck as she walked away. For now, you win door, but your secrets shall be revealed soon enough!

Lana would wait in the hallway just outside of dining room like she had last night to eavesdrop on the dinner conversation. As soon as she heard anything like doors opening, she'd make her move and decide what to do then. Thievery was equal parts planning and patience, and equal parts decisive action.

Gracie smiled as Izzy continued to love on Turnip, and mused over Valora's words in her head as she thought about them. "Valora - obviously it was cruel and unnecessary. My lady wasn't too happy about it - people shouldn't be so cruel to their servants for a simple mistake." The maid let out a slight sigh. "So young too - it's obvious people learn from their parents, at least. The sooner we get out of here the better - though at least we are all comfortable."

"Were you talking about something else, though? I thought these ... strangeness of this land would have been rather apparent, divines cursing us all while we are here."

---

The footsteps went away after a while, going away from the party's rouge. The room was once again empty and silent. Though a new problem arose - from down the hallway towards the dining room a guard was approaching - it was hard to tell why, but his exhaustion was obvious as he let out a large yawn and stretched his limbs. Lana hadn't been seen yet, and the man's weapons were sheathed at his hip. Would Lana move, reveal herself, or hide?

---

"Hmph," Valora frowned, folding her arms against her chest as she glanced over to the stable boy. It wasn't exactly the servant - slave she cared too much about. What someone did with their property was none of her business. Rather, it was that something about the Lord and his daughter made her feel...uneasy. "Nothing but my gut talking, and not because of bad food." Valora sighed dismissively. "Lana explained to me in detail...just keep a watch on Lady Calder, will you? I'd prefer she not be alone in this castle - especially with the Lord or That girl." It was a simple enough request. She couldn't exactly order all of them to be with her at all times. The lord might very well think it's rude. "Gods curse or no, I don't plan on letting anything bad happen to my charge."

Isabella continued to pet and play a bit with Turnip, though wishing she had a brush to take care of him with. She couldn't do much else in the way of equestrian care - she was forbidden from doing any strenuous work back home or anything considered 'beneath' her. Well, nothing she could do about it now. The horse simply seemed content enough to enjoy her presence.

---

Ooh, a chance. Lucky~

Lana watched the guard with seeming disinterest, not making a move to reveal herself to him. Only to watch from where she was. If he didn't say anything to her, she wouldn't say anything to him. He looked tired so she wasn't in any hurry to alert him of her presence if she could help it. Instead, she'd wait for him to move past her and continue walking - she would only move then if he didn't say anything to her, waiting for him to move into the next room so she could watch from behind him.

If he was going to the door, she'd swiftly and quietly follow. Light footsteps were a must in the back alleys of Raerith's slums, and the ability to quickly shadow a person and slip inside a door behind them was something any novice should be able to do.

Gracie nodded quietly - it'd be difficult to perhaps insert herself in any situation involving the princess, but it was entirely possible that they'd simply ignore her because she is a maid. She supposed that was one good part about her profession.

"Its good to know that you care, Valora. Though I don't think I'd be able to fight those guards off. Though maybe she'd be able to?" Gracie imagined Izzy swinging Valiant around like some sort of maniac. "I know she's had a little training, but even with that fancy sword of hers I'd prefer if someone else were to take in most of the fighting ..." She looked at Valora. "I hope everything goes alright for her in the ruins. And you all as well - she does care about you guys a bit, you know."

---

The guard headed towards the double doors, before stopping outside of it and taking a quick look around the area and letting out a large, loud yawn and stretching a bit before leaning against the double doors. A short close of his eyes wouldn't hurt ...

... soon enough, he was snoring.

---

"Humph. I don't need a noble blood who can barely wash herself without a servant worrying over me." Valora grunted. "Just keep your eyes and ears open, Gracie. You're closer to the Lady more than we are." There wasn't else much to be said on that front. She'd do as the Princess asked, as her station required of her. Really, why did she take this 'job' again? Bah. "As long as those ruins don't have anything foul in them, then we shall likely be fine as long as we're back before these odd storm continues."

Isabella, content after seeing Turnip finally decided to leave. She was still tired, after all and seeing the stallion made her feel better. As she closed the door to his stable, he bumped the back of her head with his, whinnying softly.

"I'll be back soon." Isabella reached over, petting his ears as a final goodbye before walking over to Valora and Gracie - they seemed to be speaking about the storm or something?

"Gracie...Valora..." Hm, what should she do now? They probably didn't have a garden here. Oh, an indoor garden, perhaps? That'd be beautiful...though she had no idea how to go about it. She quickly shoved the childish thought out of her head.

"Turnip doing well, Lady Calder?"

"Mhm." Isabella nodded quietly, starting to walk out of the stables and back towards her room. Maybe she'd explore another part of the castle? She had little else to do and she wasn't sure what passed for 'entertainment' here. Normally she'd find one of the court bards, walk the gardens, maybe visit the royal sculptor or painter, or visit the cathedrals and listen to the religious ceremonies on certain days.

---

Sleeping on the job? Hah, this is why Valora constantly nagged the other guys. Lana chuckled quietly, using light steps to approach the now snoozing guard. He was a guard right? So he had to have some key's or something on him somewhere. Valora would first make sure there was no one watching, Lana quickly would go through his pockets with a light, dexterous hand, seeing if she could find anything of value.

Lana's light footsteps rewarded her - and soon enough a key was in her hand, the guard still asleep. It was hard to tell what exactly the key went to - it was reasonably well made and had a slightly bronze finish on it, meaning it was likely a decent piece of expense to create. More than that though, her thieves eyes would be able to tell it was specifically made in order to make any sort of traditional lock picking difficult.

Well, whatever this key was, it was for something important. An intricate design, likely made to prevent lock picking from happening easily. Not to mention the material - it likely cost a bit of money to create well. Well, first things first, she'd test the key on the large set of double doors. If it fit, well, then why not? She'd go in and take a look. She'd need to be careful of course - lock the doors behind her and then see if there was anything of value beyond those doors. If it didn't, she'd casually pocket the key and then walk away. She'd spend the rest of the night seeing if she could find a lock to fit the key.